Couple celebrating 80 years of marriage shares their secret

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (WDAF) -- "In sickness and in health," those are the vows that an Excelsior Springs couple takes to heart as they celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary.

"It don't seem like it's been 80 years," said Carl Looman.

He has to remind his wife, Eileen of the occasion.

It's hard for her to keep track of the years, but their two children, 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 22 great great grandchildren will always keep track of their wedding anniversary.

Even with eight decades of memories together, they're still looking ahead to the future.

"We have our golden years ahead. I'm happy where I am so long as we're together," she said.

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

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Couple celebrating 80 years of marriage shares their secret

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Couple celebrating 80 years of marriage shares their secret

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

Carl and Eileen met in the 1930s. Carl said it was love at first sight. It was her cooking skills that hooked him. He didn't wait long before he wrote a letter asking her to marry him and she said yes.

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"We got married after a month and a half, two months," said Carl.

The more they knew each other, the more they fell in love. Decades later, they're sharing their secret to a long and happy marriage. It's actually pretty simple.

Newlywed couples attend a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Yoo Jung-seuk of South Korea (C) and Tasaka Yumi of Japan celebrate during a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Han Hak-ja (2nd R), widow of Evangelist Reverend Moon Sun-myung, sprays holy water to bless newlywed couples during a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A groom takes a selfie with a cardboard cut-out of late evangelist Reverend Moon Sun-myung (L) and his wife Han Hak-ja during a break in a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Newlywed couples attend a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A bride cries during a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A girl queues to get to a toilet with brides during a break in a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Brides take a selfie during a break in a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A bride walks past grooms queuing to go to the toilet during a break in a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Newlywed couples attend a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Brides queue to go to the toilet during a break in a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A newlywed couple prays during a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

A newlywed couple celebrates during a mass wedding ceremony of the Unification Church at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, South Korea, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

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"Ask if it's alright to buy something. If she says no, then forget," Carl added.

Eileen is a magnificent 101-years-old, Carl isn't too far behind.

"I haven't lost my love for her," Carl said.

His birthday is next Tuesday, another milestone they get to celebrate together.

The Excelsior Springs Nursing & Rehab Center plan to surprise the couple with a special steak dinner to celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary.